Amusement apparatus



H. F. MAYNEs MUSEMENT APPARATUS oct. 27, 1942.l

Filed Oct. 23. l'1941 '2 sheets-sheet 1 lNVENTQR hylaEMaynas,

ou. 27, 1942. H. FJMAYNES f 2,299,760

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Oct. 225, 1941 ZSheets-Sheet 2 w INVENTOR Patented Oct. 27, 1942 signorY 0fne-half to Emma Tonawanda, Y.

May-"nes, North Animation octtber, 23, 1941, sverialNo.` 416,23?

IIfhe present inventionfrelatesytovaquatic amuse-l ment apparatus of the type wherein a plurality 0f passenger Carrying-v boats; `are Providedina tank, andhas partularfrelatiee to ,means Whereby each boat may beV allowed a fgree range` `of movement or may be brought` to` a predetermined Wall of the tank for loading and unloading.`

According to the presentinventiona carriage extending across the tank is adapted` totravel from end to end thereon-and approximately half of the` boats are placed in the tankAv on each side` of the carriage, so that when thelatter moves to one end-` of vthe tank the boats on one.

side will be swept to the tankend for transferring passengers while the boats on the other side of the carriage will` be allowedfreefaccess,

to the remaining area of the tank.` v

By this arrangement half of the boats may be` loaded while the others are being employedfby,i passengers who may operate them astheyv `der` sire over substantially the entire. area, of the-A tank. The duration of the ride may bewcon-e trolled entirely by the operator of the amusement: apparatus, who may herd the boats` to-la, wall of the tank whenever desired, independently of the. wills. of the passengers and operators of the in, dividfual boats. In this Way a high passenger` capacity for the apparatus over a limitedperiod;

of time may be obtained. l

' rIhe boats may have circular side walls, prog, vided, for example, by extending pneumatic tires,l

around them in the general manner disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 288407,; filed August 4, 1939, and the tankwalls` andthe,l carriage may be provided with rollers so` that;4 the boats will easily roll into al0,011,1"1111611,` Space between the carriage and tank endwall`` The rollers may have concave faces `engageablewith the tire walls to hold theboats against tipping while passengers are being transferred.

The invention further contemplates ,rnea-nsfor;y moving the carriage, including toothedwheelslenf.

gaging racks extending along each1 of'thezopposed side walls of the tank whereby thecarriage may be positively driven withoutj possibility-of being turned relative to the tank dueto unequal resist? ance being imposed thereon by the boats. M otive power for the carriage may be provided by an electric motor operating on current transl#` mitted through a flexible cable, the invention providing a rotated drum on the carriage for w-ind.` ing and unwinding the cable. as the `carriage moves from end to end ofthe tank.

These and other objectsand advantages will?. appear from the following description of the empanying drawings, wherein.; s

Fig. 1 vis av planview of theentire apparatus; Fig, 2 isla detail'plan view showing on a larger scale one corner tofthe structure;

o Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along Fig.` 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through oneside of the tank structure and showing the adjacent` end of the carriage in elevatiomerld, Y

, Fig 5 is a `view of propelling means for the boats-, f

A s shown in `the drawings the tank may com,- prise,V a metallic framework H supportingy a cloth bodiment oftheluinvention shown in the accomcontainer I2 for water upon whichthe boats I3,-

|14 provided with passenger controlled propulsion4 and steering means. These boats are circular in plea, hai/ine pneumatiftres, l5 extending @helfeaberA te cushion the,` Shed; in the event 0f C01- lision. betweenboats ,or with the tank walls, andy to aid :in sustentation of the boats. Thepropelling nfieansA f or each o f` the boats mayA comprise, as shown in Fig, 5,-a motor 44, -clutch or driving gear-4,5, drive shaft 4.6 andypropeller 4l.

, `@Verhanging the ,tanky walls and `depending into the water, inu order to obviate necessity of piercing the @10th `I 2; are.. Supprts I6 1119011 which: rollersl [-1 are mounted for free rotation about vertical axes. At the ends of the tank are plat- V` forms l@ from which passengers may walk when a entering or Aleaving the boats, Extending along each sidewall of the tankis a tracks rail I9 for o supporting a; carriage 24|.v t t Thezcarriagecomprises alframework 22 extending aeross the tank between the side wallsthereof vandhavingadjacent each of 1the side walls Aa head, portion 23 `upon which are mounted theV axles` of-Vwheels- 24 that support `the carriage for movement upon therails |9`. The framework 212i carries `rollers 25, which' may be like rollers il andawhich are mounted for free rotation upon vertical axes. i Two parallel rows of rollers 25 may be provided, one row for engagement with boats on each lside of the carriage. As shown in` Figs. `3 and 4, the rollers l1 and 25 may be disrposedpatwthe `same level and atabout the level 2,5` `ofwater in the tank; being partlyfimmersed in and partly above water. Extendingl along each track rail t9 is a chan- `nelj27| in which is secureda chain 28 providing in effect a toothed rack `extending' along each side wall of the ta'nk for meshing engagement with sprocket wheels 29. The latter are secured to a shaft 3| journaled in bearings 32 on the carriage, one wheel being adjacent each end of the shaft. Secured to the carriage at one head portion 23 thereof is a reversible electric motor 33 having on its drive shaft a worm 34 meshing with a worm wheel mounted on shaft 3l.

Rotatably secured on the latter shaft is a drum. 34 which overlies a platform 35 extending along one side wall of the tank, the drum having wound thereon a cable 36 for conducting electrical energy to the motor. One end of the cable may be anchored to the end of the platform 35 indicated at 31 from which it may connect through a suitable motor reversing switch to a source of electrical energy. The other end of the cable, anchored to the drum 34, is connected to insulated contact rings 38 provided on one face of the drum. Contacting these rings are contact points or ngers 39 which are connected by lead wires 4I to the motor.

fIhe drum is adapted to be driven by the shaft 3l to which it is connected by a slip clutch which may comprise a clutch plate 42 rotatable with the shaft and held frictionally engaged with one face of the drum by a spring 43. y

In operation ofthe apparatus, starting with the position shown in Fig. 1, half of the boats I3,

that is the eight boats shown to the left of the carriage 22, are held by the latter against the left end wall of the tank so that passengers may enter the boats from the left platform I8. The boats are held against tipping While passengers are entering or leaving by reason of the concave formation of the rollers, as shown in Fig. 3.

Meanwhile, the eight boats to the right of the carriage in Fig. 1 are free to move about substantially the lentire area of the tank, in whatever paths they may be maneuveredby their occupants.

When the boats to the left of the carriage have been loaded, the motor 33 may be operated by suitable switch means (not shown) located at or beyond point 31 to cause the carriage to move to the right end of the tank. This will cause the boats to the` right of the carriage to be swept It will be understood from the foregoing description that the mechanism provides an efcient means for bringing the boats to the passenger loading platforms I whenever desired by the operator of the amusement apparatus, thereby enabling an orderly and expeditious manner of handling the patrons of the apparatus.

In the event patrons are not available for some of the boats, such boats may be allowed to run against said right end of the tank so that their Y occupants may leave the boats via the right platform I3 and other passengers may enter the boat, while, of course, the boats to the left of the carriage are allowed to move about vin the tank.

During such travel of the carriage the length of cable 36 on platform 35 will wind onto drum 54, the clutch 42, 43 maintaining the cable comtimes most of the boats being pushed by it may be near one side wall of the tank, thereby imposing an uneven load on the carriage. l

When the right boats have been reloaded, the switch means may be operated to cause the motor to drive the carriage again to the right, reproducing the condition shown in Fig. 1. Duringvsuch movement of the carriage the cable 3G will unwind from drum 34 and be laid on platform 35.

unattended when the carriage is in a position giving them access to the pool, and may constitute obstacles to the other boats whose passengers may obtain added entertainment by seeking to dodge them or to collide with them to change their courses, or otherwise; or, if desired, the empty boats may be tethered to the positions which they happen to take along the end walls of the tank, as, for example, when repairs to them become necessary.

It will be understood further that the apparatus shown and described herein is merely a preferred illustrative example of the inventive features involved, which may be otherwise embodied without departing from th'espirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank having side walls each provided with a track and a rack extending therealong, a carriage extending across the tank and having wheels engaging said tracks for enabling'movement of the carriage substantially from end to end of the tank, said carriage having motive means including an electric motor and toothed wheels driven thereby and engaging said racks to effect movement of the carriage on said tracks, a cable for supplying current to said motor and a winding drum for the cable rotatably mounted upon the carriage for taking up slack in the cable as the carriage moves toward one end, of the tank, said drum being rotated by and upon movement of the carriage, substantially circular boats in said tank on each side of said carriage, and rollers mounted on the side and end walls of the tank and also upon said carriage for engaging the circular walls of the boats, the movement of the carriage to either end of the tank sweeping the beats on one side into positions against the wall at said end for loading and unloading, and allowing the boats on the other side of the carriage access to the remaining area of the tank.

2. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank having side walls each provided with a rack extending therealong, a carriage extending across the tank and adapted for movement substantially from end to end of the tank, said carriage having reversible motive means including toothed drive wheels engaging said racks to effect movement of the carriage, and boats in said tank on each side of said carriage adapted for engagement by the latter, the movement of the carriage to either end of the tank causing the boats on one side to be moved against the wall at said end for loading and unloading, and allowing the boats on the other side of the carriage access to the remaining area of the tank.

3. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank having side walls each provided with a sprocket chain extending therealong and anchored thereto, a carriage extending across the tank and adapted for movement substantially from end to end of the tank, said carriage having reversible motive means including sprocket drive wheels engaging said chains to effect movement of the carriage, boats in said tank on each side of said aaearze'o and-a passengerlloading.platform atfeach end of Ythe tank, the movement -of` the carriage-'to either "end Oflth tank-.Causing lth'ei boats-On One AIside to I be `:moved against the walloatl'saiid end and into adjaicency with `oneof l said platformsfor loading-and unloading, `andfallowingfthelboatsvon maining areaofitheftank.` i Y f4. 1In aquatic amusement apparatus, 1a ftank and a` carriage extending `thereacross, means for moving the Ycarriage fsubstantifally.` from `'end'ito end ofi the tank, Aa 1 plurality Lof" boats in `isa-id tank on each side of f said'carri-agaiand rllersmounted the other=side oftheicarriageaccesstot therei on the walls of theltankiand also upon saidcarriage for engaging the boats, the movement fof the .carriage .to either end of the tank causing the boats on one side to be moved against the wall at said end for loading and unloading, and allowing the boats on the other side of the cai'- riage access to the remaining area of the tank.

5. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank having side walls each provided with a track extending therealong, a carriage extending across the tank and supported for movement upon said tracks substantially from end to end of the tank, means to effect such mo-vement of the carriage on said tracks, substantially circular boats in said tank on each side of said carriage, and rollers mounted on the walls of the tank and also upon said carriage for engaging the circular walls of the boats, the movement of the carriage to either end of the tank causing the vboats on one side to be moved against the wall at said yend for loading and unloading, and allowing the boats on the other side of the carriage access to the remaining area of the tank.

6. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank `and a carriage extending across the tank and movable substantially from end to end of the tank, a plurality of boats in said tank on each side of said carriage, each of said boats having a substantially annular pneumatic tire extending therearound, and rollers mounted upon said carriage for engaging the tires of the boats, the movement of the carriage to either end of the tank causing the boats on one side to be moved against the wall at said end for loading and unloading, and allowing the boats on the other side of the carriage access to the remaining area of the tank. f

7. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank and a carriage extending thereacross and movable therealong toward or from one end wall of the tank, a boat in said tank between said end wall thereof and said carriage, said boat having a substantially annular tire extending therearound and concave rollers mounted on the said end Wall of the tankand upon said carriage for engaging the tire around the boat, the movement of the carriage to said end of the tank causing the boat to be moved against said end Wall for loading and unloading, and the engagement of the concave rollers with the tire holding the boat against tipping during such loading and unloading.

8. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank and a carriage extending thereacross and movable therealong toward or from one end wall of the tank, a plurality of circular boats in said tank between said end wall and said carriage, and rollers mounted on the wall of the tank and also upon said carriage for engaging the circular walls of the boats, the movement of the carriage toward said end of the tank causing the "boats to be movedagainstisaid end `rwall for loading iand unloadingjfand upon .movement awayfromsaid-end Walliallowing theiiboatsiaccessglto substantially Ithe entirefar'ea of the ltanlc. J9; fI'n aquatic amusement ."apparatus, Ia*l tank and :fa carriage .extending thereacross and movable`-`tl1erealongtoward or from one fend wall Y lpart itnereona boat 'in "said tank between .'jsaid `endwall landfsaidlcarriagegmeans on said Wall 4'pfart'iandra.partici the carriage for :engaging substantiallyiopposed portions of the fboat .whenfth'e carriage fis Ymoved to its limit v position :toward said endnwalLsaid means including vert-icalroll ers von, at least one r of r 'said parts, and "the :boat having .a `por-tion Iengageabl'e `with @said rollers, and said irollers :and portion Jof'theboat `having interengagin'g *formations *to hold the boat against tipping `while it .is lield :against A"the end wall for loading or unloading passengers.

10. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank and a carriage extending thereacross and movable therealong toward or from one end wall thereof, boats in said tank between said end `wall and said carriage, said boats having substantially annular pneumatic tires extending therearound, and means on the carriage and end wall for engaging said boats, the means including concave rollers on at least one of said carriage and end wall for engaging said pneumatic tires to hold the boats against tipping when moved against the end wall by the carriage. v

11. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a liquidcontaining tank and boats supported by liquid in the tank, track means extending along the tank, a carriage extending across the tank and movable upon the track means substantially from end to end of the tank for engaging and moving the boats toward an end wall of the tank, said carriage having motive means for propelling it in such movement including an electric motor, a cable for supplying current to said motor, and a drum for the cable rotatably mounted upon the carriage for winding up the cable thereon as the carriage moves toward one `end of the tank and for unwinding the cable along the tank as the carriage moves in the opposite direction, said drum being rotated by and upon movement of the carriage.

12. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank and a carriage extending thereacross and movable therealong toward or from one end wall of the tank, a plurality of boats having circular resilient tires extending therearound, said boats being` disposed insaid tank between said end wall and said carriage, means upon said Wall and said carriage for engaging said tires, the movement of the carriage toward said end wall of the tank causing the boats to be moved against said end Wall for loading and unloading, and upon movement away from said end wall allowing the boats to move about in the tank.

13. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a tank and a carriage extending thereacross and movable therealong toward or from one end wall of the tank, a plurality of boats disposed in said tank between said end Wall and said carriage, means upon said wall and said carriage for engaging said boats, the movement of the carriage toward said end wall of the tank causing the boats to be moved against said end wall for loading and unloading, and upon movement away from said end wall allowing the boats to move about in the tank.

14. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a liquidcontaining tank and boats supported by liquid in the tank, track means extending along the tank, a carriage extending vacross the tank and movable upon the track means substantially from end to end of the tank for engaging and moving the boats, said carriage having motive means including an electric motor, a cable for supplying current to said motor7 a Winding drum for the cable rotatably mounted upon the carriage for winding up the cable thereon as the carriage moves toward one end of the tank and for un- Winding the cable along the tank as the carriage moves in the opposite direction, said drum being rotated by said motive means in accordance with movement of the carriage, and means for conducting electrical energy from the end of the cable on the drum to the electric motor.

15. In aquatic amusement apparatus, a liquidcontaining tank and boats supported by the liquid, track means extending along the tank, a carriage extending across the tank and movable upon the track means for engaging and moving said boats, means for supplying electrical energy to the carriage including a cable, a Winding drum for the cable rotatably mounted upon the carriage for winding up the cable thereon as the carriage moves toward one end of the tank and for unwinding the cable along the tank as the carriage moves in the opposite direction, drive means for the carriage, and means connecting the drum to the drive means for rotation thereby, the connecting means including means for compensating for variation in effective diameter of the drum as cable is wound thereon and therefrom.

HYLA F. MAYNES. 

